Page 10 of Donut Disaster
That means Everett and I have been together for the exact same amount of time Noah and I were a couple. That makes them equal in so many ways. It’s no wonder my heart is tugging in two perfectly good directions. I hate that Everett has decided it’s best to let me winnow out any feelings I still might have for Noah. But it’s logical, and if Everett is anything, he’s logical. He’s a judge. He’s made a career out of being logical.
Everett sent me a text just as I was closing up the bakery and let me know his last case ended early so he would be helping Noah move Lainey’s things out of my mother’s garage.
My Honda rolls to a stop in front of the house number my mother gave me this afternoon, and I lean over and inspect Lainey’s new digs with a sigh. They had a very short escrow, and no matter how much I begged her to tell me which house she bought, she insisted it remain a surprise until she could walk us all through it herself. I can’t imagine she’ll be too thrilled we’re here to christen the house without her.
“Oh my…” I can’t even finish the thought. Lainey and Forest have purchased the most adorable house on the planet, and I’m not only drooling and moaning with happiness for them, but there’s a niggling feeling of jealousy in the pit of my stomach and I detest myself for it.
A red, white, and blue sold sign from Redwood Realty swings in the breeze that boasts an oversized picture of Amanda Wellington’s perky smile.
The house itself is a pristine white with a matching white picket fence that borders the property, and it flaunts a bright red door that leads into the split-level home.
Wait a minute… my rental is white with a picket fence—mostly, and a bright red door. Suddenly I’m feeling less envious and a lot more ahead of the curve.
I hop out just as a barrage of vehicles descend into the driveway. Noah, along with Alex, sits in his truck and the back is loaded with boxes.
Mom and Pastor Gaines pull up in a snazzy black SUV with the pastor behind the wheel and Everett just pulled up across the street. He steps out in a dark gray suit, matching metallic gray tie, and those bedroom eyes pinned my way as if they were making a dark promise straight to my heart.
Everett jogs over and lands a kiss to my cheek. “Hey, Cupcake. How was your day?”
“Better now,” I murmur as I wrap my arms around him briefly. He pulls back and winces as he carefully touches my cheek. “That’s quite a shiner.”
“Tell me about it. Cassie packs a mean left hook. Remind me not to step in between two feuding women again. And by the way, thank you for helping move my sister’s things.”
Noah clears his throat.
“Oh, Noah.” I hop over and wrap my arms around him. “Thank you so much for taking the time to move Lainey’s things, too. I’ll get Lily to cover for me tomorrow afternoon and I’ll do the rest.”
He winces at my shiner himself. “She got you good, didn’t she?” He brushes a light kiss to my cheek. “I’m sorry about that, Lot.”
I told him everything that transpired once we caught up again last night.
Mom strides up hand in hand with Pastor Gaines, that perennial smile still pinned to his face.
“You won’t have to help with anything, Lottie.” Mom wiggles the keys my way and shudders once she spots my shiner. “Unhappy customer?”
“Something like that.”
She shrugs it off. “Anyway, Noah and Alex just cleared out the last of Lainey’s things from my garage, and they were kind enough to move all of her furniture from the storage unit she rented. Oh, Lottie, you have to see it! They’ve put everything in place.”
“Really?” I turn to marvel at the two of them. “You didn’t have to do that. And Alex, I feel terrible that you’re spending your vacation moving my sister’s furniture.”
“It’s not a problem at all. I’m technically not on vacation. I’m able to work remotely.” Alex sheds a dimpled grin just like his brother’s. “Besides, it turns out, this is better than my workout at the gym, and I get to spend time with this knucklehead.” He musses Noah’s hair as Noah does his best to duck out of his way. “Not to mention the fact I get to see my favorite big brother.” Alex slaps Everett on the back.
“Hey, watch it,” Noah teases as he taps his elbow into his brother’s ribcage. The three of them are perfectly adorable together. “I’m your favorite brother and don’t you forget it.”
I can imagine Everett appreciated having brothers, even for a short time, at least right up until Noah stole Cormack Featherby out from under him. If I were Everett, I would have penned Noah a thank you note.
Everett slings an arm around my shoulders. “Everyone knows I’m the winner’s choice.” He gives a sly wink as he steals another kiss.
Mom rattles the keys high over her head. “Come, come! We have a house to bless, and I suggest we get right down to it.”
I pull the platter of baked goods from my car as we head up the stairs in a processional.
Alex leans over and inspects the goodies under the plastic dome. “Whatcha got there?”
“Just your usual lineup of suspects—chocolate chip cookies, rocky road brownies, a few blondie bars, caramel apple nut bars, and pumpkin whoopie pies. I’m testing out a few new recipes for fall—which is basically in a few short weeks.”
Alex moans hard. “Pumpkin whoopie pies? A woman who speaks my language.” He gives Noah’s head a shove from the back. “And why did you let this woman get away, again?”